500 volunteers sought for Kauai emergency drill

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LIHUE, Kauai (HawaiiNewsNow) – The state Department of Health is seeking about 500 volunteers to participate in an emergency medication distribution program on Kauai. The volunteers are being asked to go to a clinic at Hanapepe Armory on September 15 to fill out forms, undergo an evaluation, and receive simulated bottles of medication.

"Our goal is to simulate how the Health Department would respond if there was a public health emergency on Kauai," said Toni Torres, public health nursing supervisor at the Kauai District Health Office.

The exercise is designed to test Kauai's ability to distribute supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile. The stockpile is a cache of medicine and medical supplies stored around the country in preparation for a bioterrorism attack or other health emergency.

The department said a news release Tuesday the exercise will be reviewed by outside evaluators, including mass dispensing operation experts.

In making the appointment, the governor was weighing a short-term replacement against pressure from top Democrats in Washington to name someone who would run in 2018 in a special election to complete Franken's term ending in 2020.

In making the appointment, the governor was weighing a short-term replacement against pressure from top Democrats in Washington to name someone who would run in 2018 in a special election to complete Franken's term ending in 2020.